West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

Appointment of Design and Interpretation Consultants for Gauge Museum HLF Project

Following the completion of a formal tendering exercise, the Steam Trust is delighted to confirm the appointment of Smith and Jones as the preferred design and interpretation consultants for the Gauge Museum Project.

The Gauge Museum

Smith and Jones are a West Country-based consultancy and have extensive experience of working in the heritage and museum sector. They will begin work formally in April 2019 but have already attended the HLF Project Group to agree preliminary activities. Phase 1 of the programme covering design, planning and consultation will take place in 2019, culminating in initial ideas and displays being available in the Museum over the Christmas period. Following feedback analysis and review, final interpretation and completion is scheduled for mid 2020. A key element of the work will also be to complement and link with the educational package being prepared by Helen Anson, our Learning Officer in relation to schools, community groups and other stakeholders.

Steve Williams Trustee and HLF Project Lead said

“We had two excellent proposals to consider and it was a difficult decision. We very much look forward to working with Smith and Jones on this exciting project and we are confident that, when the new design and interpretation is completed, this will represent a step change in experience for visitors to the Gauge Museum as well as enhancing the overall offer from the railway as a whole”.

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WSRHT Board Meetings – July, September and November 2024

Board Meeting Minutes Published
July, September and November Meetings

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to publish the minutes of three recent Board Meetings. July Board Meeting held on Thursday, 25th July 2024. September Board Meeting held on Thursday, 26th September 2024. November Board Meeting held on Thursday, 28th November 2024.

Please click the Board Meeting links below to access the document as a pop-up tab. Alternatively, to view all Trust Board Meetings since 2016 – view the collection

July Board Meeting 25th July 2024
September Board Meeting 26th September 2024
November Board Meeting 28th November 2024

Trust News on Toplight Carriage No. 3639

WSRHT News on Toplight Carriage No. 3639

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to confirm the move of Toplight carriage no. 3639 from Williton to Washford was completed by a WSR PLC team using two shunters on Monday 7th October. 

The special train also carried a wreath in memory of Ronnie Wainhouse who passed away recently.  Ronnie was a well loved member of the carriage restoration team working for the past 10 years on both 6705 and 3639 – he will be sorely missed.

Due to the poor condition of the carriage, the move was completed using a specially devised safety procedure (as used for moving the earlier carriages from Dunster) at a maximum speed of 5mph with careful monitoring along the way before arriving safely at Washford.

The restoration of 3639 has been ongoing for many years at Williton without using any covered accommodation. The move to Washford brings a much improved environment for the Trust’s carriage restoration team with the carriage now residing under cover in the shed at Washford next to Collett carriage no. 6705 where restoration work will be carried out on both carriages.

© WSRHT 2024

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Maintenance to the WSRHT Website

The official website of the WSRHT is undergoing a short maintenance overhaul, but will remain live throughout this time. However, visitors to the website may notice some modest changes from time to time, which reflect valuable feedback from our members, volunteers, and members of the public. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for supporting our Heritage Trust and Railway. Our social media accounts remain open, live and will continue to update our community. 

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